PK Subban, Carey Price will play for Team Canada in Sochi

Hockey Canada has named its roster of players for the Men's Olympic squad, and to the delight of Canadiens' fans it includes PK Subban and Carey Price.

"We won a gut-wrenching gold medal on home ice in Vancouver four years ago. The competition is even harder today," said head coach Mike Babcock.

Price will serve as the number two goalie behind Roberto Luongo, and said it was an honour to be chosen, giving a nod to his Habs teammates for helping him get there.

"Obviously having a good start to the year was important to them. I've got to thank my teammates first and foremost for playing so well in front of me. I am really really appreciative of that," he told reporters Tuesday after hearing the good news.

Subban is the current holder of the Norris Trophy, given annually to the top defenceman in the NHL, but for several months hockey fans and analysts have been debating whether or not Subban would actually be named to Team Canada.

That speculation spiked in November when Babcock said he would only choose players that would be "trustworthy."

"The great thing about playing on the Olympic team is you've got to be a 200-footer," he said in November. "You've got to do it in both ends of the rink consistently and the coach has to trust you."

Subban was chosen, however, and said it was a proud moment for both him and his parents.

"They weren't born here in Canada. For two people that came from the Caribbean and started a family here and had to work extremely hard to provide for that family. By all means, my parents had great jobs and they're worked extremely hard, but I'm sure when they first came to Canada, they never thought about having three boys play hockey, let alone have one play for the Olympic team. I'm sure they're very happy and if people see that as motivation, then great . I'm happy to do that," he said.

Several other Habs have been named to play for the Olympics for their home countries, namely Rafael Diaz for Switzerland, Peter Budaj for Slovakia, and Tomas Plekanec, who will be the captain for the Czech Republic.

"It's the greatest honour that a player can feel to be able to represent his country on a huge stage -- on the world stage. It's a reflection of our guys and how we play. Together. Hard work. Dedication. It's a great honour for me and my family, and i'm very excited to be a part of the Slovakian national tea," said Budaj.

Russia, as expected, has named Alexei Emelin and Andrei Markov as players for its Olympic squad, playing on home soil.

"It's good news," said Emelin. "I'm so happy to get to the Olympics -- home Olympics. It's a big plus for us"

Markov agreed.

"It's' great. It's a big honour to represent your country and it's going to be fun to play in your own country," he said.

Photos

Montreal Canadiens' goaltender Carey Price, right, celebrates with teammate P.K. Subban after defeating the New York Rangers' in an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Saturday, February 8, 2011.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes